shillings. But Maclean had taken his share of the punch, and vowed that no
gentleman should leave his table after the bowl was brewed; so there was
nothing for it but to sit and hear Jacobite toasts and Gaelic songs, till all were
tipsy and staggered off to the bed or the barn for their night’s rest.
Next day (the fourth of my travels) we were up before five upon the clock; but
my rascal guide got to the bottle at once, and it was three hours before I had him
clear of the house, and then (as you shall hear) only for a worse disappointment.
As long as we went down a heathery valley that lay before Mr. Maclean’s
house, all went well; only my guide looked constantly over his shoulder, and
when I asked him the cause, only grinned at me. No sooner, however, had we
crossed the back of a hill, and got out of sight of the house windows, than he told
me Torosay lay right in front, and that a hill-top (which he pointed out) was my
best landmark.
“I care very little for that,” said I, “since you are going with me.”
The impudent cheat answered me in the Gaelic that he had no English.
“My fine fellow,” I said, “I know very well your English comes and goes. Tell
me what will bring it back? Is it more money you wish?”
“Five shillings mair,” said he, “and hersel’ will bring ye there.”
I reflected awhile and then offered him two, which he accepted greedily, and
insisted on having in his hands at once “for luck,” as he said, but I think it was
rather for my misfortune.
The two shillings carried him not quite as many miles; at the end of which
distance, he sat down upon the wayside and took off his brogues from his feet,
like a man about to rest.
I was now red-hot. “Ha!” said I, “have you no more English?”
He said impudently, “No.”
At that I boiled over, and lifted my hand to strike him; and he, drawing a knife
from his rags, squatted back and grinned at me like a wildcat. At that, forgetting
everything but my anger, I ran in upon him, put aside his knife with my left, and
struck him in the mouth with the right. I was a strong lad and very angry, and he
but a little man; and he went down before me heavily. By good luck, his knife
flew out of his hand as he fell.
I picked up both that and his brogues, wished him a good morning, and set off
upon my way, leaving him barefoot and disarmed. I chuckled to myself as I
went, being sure I was done with that rogue, for a variety of reasons. First, he
knew he could have no more of my money; next, the brogues were worth in that